Contempt of Parliament

• Details
• Tagged entities

Properties

Alt label

• Contempt of Parlt
• Contempt of privilege

SES ID

• 9349
• 52016
• 451042

Notation

• 9349

In scheme

• Subject

Broader

• Parliamentary procedure

Related

• Parliamentary privilege

Definition

• Contempt of Parliament is a term used to describe any act - or failure to act - that may prevent or hinder the work of either House of Parliament. A more specific offence against parliamentary privilege is known as a breach of privilege.

Editorial note

• Previous definition: Any action taken by either a Member of Parliament or a stranger which obstructs or impedes either Parliament in the performance of its functions, or its Members or staff in the performance of their duties, is a contempt of Parliament. Examples of contempt include giving false evidence to a parliamentary committee, threatening a Member of Parliament, forgery of documents and attempting to bribe members.